In a new survey, Chief Information Officers (CIOs) identified the most unusual requests they or their support staff have fielded. The survey shows that it takes more than technical expertise to interact with end users – especially those who confuse CD-ROM drives with coffee trays.

The survey was developed by Robert Half Technology, a leading provider of information technology professionals on a project and full-time basis, and conducted by an independent research firm. It was based on telephone interviews with more than 1,400 CIOs from companies across the United States with 100 or more employees.

CIOs were asked, “What is the strangest or most unusual request you or a member of your help desk or technical support team has ever received?” Their responses included:

• “Why isn’t my wireless mouse connected to the computer?”
• “My laptop was run over by a truck. What should I do?”
• “Can you rearrange the keyboard alphabetically?”
• “How do I read my e-mail?”
• “My computer is telling me to press any key to continue. Where is the ‘any’ key?”
• “Can you reset the Internet for me?”
• “There are animal crackers in my CD-ROM drive.”
• “Can you build me a robot?”

I’d have thought the last request was perfectly reasonable. But then again, I thought nothing of a friend of mine approaching the reception of BBC Scotland in Queen Margaret Drive to ask if Jackie Bird would tune his guitar. We still don’t know why she wasn’t given the opportunity to respond.

MM

Survey via Neatorama.